Dr. Carletta Stewart is a retired combat veteran, published author, and scholar specializing in program design and leadership development. She earned her Doctor of Education in Leadership for Educational Equity from the University of Colorado Denver, where her research focused on advancing equity in STEM pathways. Her dissertation, “The Underrepresentation of Women STEM Leaders,” examines the systemic and personal factors influencing women’s persistence and leadership in STEM fields (DOI:https://doi.org/10.20897/ejsteme/11387).
Dr. Stewart also holds a Master of Science in Finance from the University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business, equipping her with a unique blend of analytical rigor, strategic insight, and educational leadership.
As the Founder and CEO of Lady Trailblazer Incorporated, Dr. Stewart brings research to life by designing and leading STEM persistence programs for girls and women. Her work focuses on identifying and addressing the critical variables that shape self-confidence, leadership identity, and long-term success in STEM careers. She is widely recognized for her strengths in organizational change, data-driven program design, and innovative problem-solving.
Reflecting on her journey, Dr. Stewart shares:
“When I retired from the military, I knew this was the work I was called to do. I recognized the need for a nonprofit organization that would help young girls develop essential leadership and problem-solving skills—and, most importantly, help them discover their ‘why.’ I believe every girl deserves the opportunity to learn, persevere, and thrive. That belief is why I founded Lady Trailblazer.”
“When I retired from the military, I knew this was the work I was called to do. I recognized the need for a nonprofit organization that would help young girls develop essential leadership and problem-solving skills—and, most importantly, help them discover their ‘why.’ I believe every girl deserves the opportunity to learn, persevere, and thrive. That belief is why I founded Lady Trailblazer.”
Service is at the core of Dr. Stewart’s identity. She is deeply committed to empowering the next generation of women leaders through equitable, sustainable curricula and meaningful, real-world problem-solving experiences.
Her guiding motto is “Don’t leave anything unfinished.”
And her mission is clear:
Empower a Girl. Change the World.